The Tennis thread

[Martino Knockavelli]

What the hell happened to Djokovic and his fitness? For a while he was a monster, seemed like he could play for 10 straight hours. In the last year or so he seems to break down in the 3rd/4th set. I know it's difficult to keep the same level but...

WADA introduced out of competition testing for gluten intolerance?

 

[allouso]

WADA introduced out of competition testing for gluten intolerance?

Welcome back Martino.

 

[Arkan]

Anyone here play much tennis? I played today for the first time against someone who has been playing for a few years. Got beat 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 but did manage to get it to deuce a few times. I might start playing weekly because I've been looking for a fun sport to help me keep fit and I really enjoyed it.

 

[This Charming Mike]

I've played on and off since the age of 11 and represented my local club in county leagues and tournaments. Unfortunately it's been more off than on in recent years because I went to uni and they didn't have any courts but I got back into playing just after Christmas and I'm finally starting to find my range again.

 

[Arkan]

I can't serve properly, obviously, but I was over hitting my shots more often than hitting the net. Struggled with the backhand as well but it'll all come in time. There is a tennis centre right next to where I live in uni so haven't got far to go and it's £6 for an hour so only £3 each.

 

[This Charming Mike]

Yep, both will improve with practice. It's a great feeling when you finally crack the serving technique (5 past 3, chopper grip, two hands of the clock passing each other etc) and start hitting aces/powerful serves. Backhand is probably the one area where I could do with some major improvement as I still slice it more often than not and fear playing winners. I'd definitely recommend playing at least once a week; once you start getting better you could even try your luck with a local club as Tennis is a really social sport too.

 

[Arkan]

Yeah, I'm going to buy a racket in a bit. Will probably have to YouTube some serving techniques but as you say practice makes perfect.

 

[Leewilson]

I've played on and off since the age of 11 and represented my local club in county leagues and tournaments. Unfortunately it's been more off than on in recent years because I went to uni and they didn't have any courts but I got back into playing just after Christmas and I'm finally starting to find my range again.

Pretty much this. Started playing when I was 11 as well. I'm a better doubles player than singles. Got a very good forehand but an injury to my left wrist when playing as a goalkeeper has stopped me from hitting a double backhand so I tend to slice on that side now as I'm shaky on the single backhand.

I've been injured since September though and hoping to pick up a racket again soon!

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Anyone here play much tennis? I played today for the first time against someone who has been playing for a few years. Got beat 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 but did manage to get it to deuce a few times. I might start playing weekly because I've been looking for a fun sport to help me keep fit and I really enjoyed it.

Haven't played since I was about 14 but I wasn't great and never really mastered the serve. Would actually like to start playing again but finding someone who is at the same level (rubbish haha) is the problem.

 

[Super_horns]

Murray in a bit of bother against Gilles Simon in Rotterdam.

Be disappointing if he lost but maybe he won't mind so much given the recent run in Oz.

 

[Super_horns]

Nadal lost for the time in 12 years in a semi final played on clay in Rio!

Probably didn't help that his quarter final didn't finish till late Saturday morning..

 

[TomPNE94]

I used to play quite a bit and got to a decent standard. Being 6ft5 helped with serving and I was a bit of a servebot I'm ashamed to say (not really) but I used to get crazy angry when I played a shit shot and after smashing my 3rd racket I just couldn't be assed buying a new one and stopped.

I went to a training session a few months back and really enjoyed it but haven't been back since

 

[Krazy8]

Used to play all the time as a kid, me and another lad from my club had a trial to play for south west England but apparently my forehand wasn't good enough.

The other lad was Louis Thompson. Our lives have slightly differed since then.... he's now integral to Swindon's promotion push and Norwich have signed him for £1million...I've been unemployed for 6 months.....

If only my forehand was better ffs

 

[allouso]

Watched Fed play for the first time last night. So glad i caught him before he retired, absolutely delighted

Also watched the Djoko and Berdych matches, but i've seen them play before. Going for the QFs today so luckily i'll catch Fed again, Djoko and Murray although the latter is playing early.

The reception Federer receives is incredible, don't think we'll ever see anything like that in Tennis anymore.

 

[allouso]

Federer beat Djokovic 6/3 7/5 to win the Dubai title for the 7th time.

He is timeless. Chuffed to have seen him play this week

 

[Tilbury]

Used to play a fairly decent standard but gave it up at 17 to play football (which I'm comparatively awful at). Really regret it, always said I'd pick it back up when I go to uni but I sit here now with 3 months till I graduate without having ever picked up a racquet here. Oh well.

So Murray puts us one nil up in the Davis cup and now Ward has Isner rattled having pulled back a set to make it 2-1. Come on lad!

 

[DarkSithLord]

James Ward is doing superbly well in the Davis Cup again. Murray was flawless for two sets against Young before prevailing 3 sets to one.

 

[SUTSS]

This is some fantastic stuff from Ward. More than holding his own against Isner.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Yep 2 sets all now. He always seems to up his game in the Davis Cup. He has been Superb. As for Isner well serve apart he has been poor,

 

[SUTSS]

I think Ward's shirt is putting Isner off

 

[Leewilson]

Hardly the boldest prediction but I'd wager the winner of this rubber will win the tie. It'll give either side an enormous lift.

 

[Leewilson]

Hardly the boldest prediction but I'd wager the winner of this rubber will win the tie. It'll give either side an enormous lift.

 

[SALTIRE]

I didn't know this match was playing just now damnit! Come on James do it!

 

[Leewilson]

This is torture. Just got a horrible feeling Ward is going to throw a bad game in at some point.

 

[Leewilson]

What annoys me is this won't get the national coverage it deserves. That was fucking heroic.

 

[SALTIRE]

Fuck me he did it superb stuff well done Jim!

 

[SALTIRE]

What annoys me is this won't get the national coverage it deserves. That was fucking heroic.

Indeed that was a sensational display from him. Two sets down comeback against that serve is astonishing.

 

[SUTSS]

Really though Isner was just going to break him at some point but glad to be proved wrong.

 

[SALTIRE]

That surely is Ward's greatest match. It shows the ability and fight he has in him, he just can't replicate it on the tour.

 

[JonBCFC]

What.A.Game superb stuff from ward, played some shots Andy would of been proud of himself! If he can find some sort of consistency I've no doubt he will climb the rankings.